Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani speaking at QITCOM 2017.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday opened the fourth edition of QITCOM Exhibition and Conference (QITCOM 2017) at the Qatar National Convention Center and launched the ambitious Qatar Smart Program (Tasmu) that aims to accelerate Qatar’s progress towards a digital economy. In his speech he informed that in line with the goals of a digital government in Qatar, all services in the country would be available on the Internet by 2020.
"I refer here to the explicit attention of the state given to people with special needs by providing a legislative environment that guarantees all the rights of this category and integrating them into the modern-era organizations within information technology. In this context, I cite that, according to the directions of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the MADA center was established as the first specialized center in the Middle East and the second worldwide for people with disabilities, emphasizing our care towards this segment of society and its integration," said the Prime Minister in his speech.
He added that Qatar Development Bank will continue its support to stimulate innovation and support businesses in the ICT sector in Qatar through the advancement of smart projects. All entities shall cooperate and all efforts shall be unified for the success and achievement of the program's objectives.
"I am confident that this conference will encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and will promote the use of smart solutions in our whole society, which will support the sustainable growth and economy prosperity," said the Premier.
The Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti said in his speech that the Ministry has identified more than 100 smart technological solutions within the framework of Tasmu programme.
In the transport sector, new technologies will be implemented to improve traffic patterns, road safety and the public transport network.
In the logistics industry, new technologies will be established to facilitate the traffic and commerce of goods, and highlight the importance of the New Doha Port as a key worldwide business destination.
In the health sector, huge efforts are being exerted to improve the population’s health conditions as well as its ability to receive high-standard healthcare.
In the sports sector, many innovations in sporting technology will be developed to enhance, promote and improve the performance of athletic and physical activities at all levels.
In the environmental sector, newer technologies and approaches will be used to monitor and regulate the levels of consumption of natural resources, in addition to sustaining food and water security.
“The first phase of implementing these goals is to consider an advanced “Internet of Things” concept, smart transportation, social media networks, and exceptional data analysis, in addition to smart infrastructure solutions. The Tasmu digital platform will help to collect and analyse data sharing across and between the different sectors. It will also ensure provision of the most advanced services to all citizens, residents and tourists,” said the Minister.
“Qatar has invested heavily to ensure the highest standards of security for the entire basic framework. In the area of IT, we have a strong cyber-security infrastructure and this is an important achievement in the face of rising threats on the Internet,” he added.
“In line with our anticipated goals of a digital government in Qatar, we strive to provide all government services on the Internet by 2020. This will enable a more intelligent government connected to the Internet to help people access governmental services and agencies at any time and from any location,” said the Minister.
“We are striving as well to support the development of e-business, not only in Qatar, but throughout the entire region. We are also supporting the development of Qatar’s postal sector in general to guarantee access to the fastest and most competitive postal services. Moreover, supporting emerging companies both inside and outside the e-business world is our aim,” he added.
Exhibition opens
The Prime Minister, the Moroccan Prime Minister and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior opened the exhibition at QITCOM 2017.
